by Tom Barrett | Jan 23, 2014 | Employer Issues, General Health, Healthcare Reform
The healthcare reform law requires that most health plans now cover common preventive care services without costing covered employees or their dependents anything out-of-pocket. However, the type of preventive service covered at no charge can be a moving target,...
by Mike Barrett | Dec 18, 2013 | Employer Issues, General Insurance Issues, Healthcare Reform
Do you ever wonder what goes on behind closed doors between president Obama and insurance company executives? I sure do. We’ve all had to work with people we don’t like or organizations we don’t align with philosophically at some point. It happens....
by Tom Barrett | Dec 4, 2013 | Employer Issues, General Health, General Insurance Issues, Healthcare Reform, Managed Care - Group Health, Providers, Uncategorized
With healthcare reform and the Affordable Care Act almost in full bloom, more potentially game-changing unintended consequences are starting to emerge. One such consequence stems from the introduction of “narrow networks.” Initially intended for healthcare.gov...
by Mike Barrett | Nov 26, 2013 | Employer Issues, Healthcare Reform, Uncategorized
There is a story that circulated last week on Twitter that a guy enrolled himself on healthcare.gov but the welcome letter that came was addressed to his dog, Baxter. Apparently they mistook his password for his name. That got me thinking… Two months ago I had a...
by Mike Barrett | Nov 21, 2013 | Employer Issues, Health Policy, Healthcare Reform
The Barrett boys (and their dad) have used Khan Academy to enrich all their learning. I recommend it strongly. Most people reading this post may not need this PPACA/Obamacare primer, but it is very good and bias free. Check it out and more important, please pass it...
by Tom Barrett | Nov 15, 2013 | Employer Issues, Healthcare Issues, Healthcare Reform
Quite often in the course of working with our clients on practical and innovative approaches to lower their healthcare costs or mitigate pending increases, we are asked two questions: “Why is healthcare so expensive?” And “where is the money going?” The first question...